What wood to use for drawer boxes?

[bwiele]

I am making a Guido Henn style built-in in my shop. I am planning to use my Leigh DT jig for the drawers. It will be my first project with it. (I'm using this to get some experience before embarking on some other stuff in my home).  What kind and thickness of wood do you guys suggest for making the dovetail drawer sides?  I'm assuming I'll use 1/4" bottoms since the drawers are pretty small...  Thanks in advance!

 

[Theshipstore]

I say that I have an habit of over building when it comes to my cabinet draws. I use 1/2 oak for my draw side and use 1/4 Luan paneling for the bottoms.

Sal

 

[nclemmons]

I'd use 1/2 or 3/4 inch poplar.  Easy to work with and finish, and relatively inexpensive.

neil

 

[butzla]

I say that I have an habit of over building when it comes to my cabinet draws. I use 1/2 oak for my draw side and use 1/4 Luan paneling for the bottoms.

Sal

Sal, just curious,  if you consider the above over built, what dimensions would you consider under built?

 

[Theshipstore]

Jim.  Ok you got me on that one
Sal

 

[tiralie]

1/2" Baltic birch plywood 1/4" bottom.
It will be good practice to be able to make them with out splintering the edges of DT's .

Tim

 

[lambeater]

1/2" Baltic birch plywood 1/4" bottom.
It will be good practice to be able to make them with out splintering the edges of DT's .

Tim

+1
I also use hidden dominoes pulled tight with pocket holes

Lambeater

 

[Blackberry]

I also use the Leigh and I'm a big fan of using 1/2 soft maple for the sides and back.  It's a great secondary wood for drawer construction. 

 

[butzla]

If you are making shop drawers, or heavy kitchen drawers, you can use .5 or.75" for the sides but use 1/2"for the bottoms.  I use 1/2" bottoms on every drawer I make now.  1/4"will sag.

 

[bwiele]

Thanks for all the replies. The general consensus appears to be 1/2" for the sides, generally poplar, maple or similar. And for the bottoms, either 1/4" or 1/2" depending on the size and anticipated contents. That gives me plenty to go on!  I got all my cabinet boxes made and put in place and the front edge banding is done.  This past weekend I started making the pull outs for the Systainers and putting tools in place. I've made a few mistakes but nothing too bad. I'm really psyched at how this is turning out!  I'll post some pix soon.  - Brian

 

[ccmviking]

I use pre-finished baltic birch on budget jobs and 5/8" or 3/4" Alder on others.  Poplar is such an ugly wood so I really don't use it for anything.  Alder is soft like Poplar so it's easy to tool and sand, doesn't cost much and looks great as a drawer box.  I used to use Hard Maple but it just takes a lot more time to sand and finish compared to the Alder.

Chris...